Composting

Today I started my first compost heap.  I bought a compost bin, that spins and has duel compartments so that I can have one side with completed compost and the other side to create new compost.  I had difficulty finding "brown" stuff, but after a lot of reading, used some garden leaves etc. shredded newspaper, toilet paper and paper towel cartons, and paper bags, towels and napkins.  I layered with lawn clippings and kitchen greens and used a compost starter.  I watered the heap and that is it!  Now I let it "cook" hopefully and spin it regularly.  After 10 years of thinking about this, I have finally taken the big step.  I have overcome my fear of the chemistry and am just trying it.  I hope nature does its thing. 

Bit by Bit

You gotta' love the radish - it sprouts within days and confirms success almost immediately.  No deferred compensation there. 

Under the protection of chicken wire, the radishes are bursting through.  If you look very carefully between to two plantings you can see the delicate sprouts of some beets - which take there own sweet time.

Radishes with cage removed.

 The slow and steady course of the beet plant requires patience, confidence that things will turn out, and a calmness of spirit.  I, of course, prefer the radish -- lets get a move on!  But, radishes are bitter and spicy, whereas beets are sweet and silky.  Time, patience and perseverance must be learned over and over.  Radishes and beets are like the tortoise and the hare. 

What to do about the interlopers dead set on interfering with, destroying or delaying your goals?  You take precautions, you plan, you anticipate the disruption.  Alas, the interlopers appear and begin to undo your good efforts and destroy your confidence.  Simply backing off and letting them take over is an option.  It would certainly be easier, less effort, give over the field to the interveners.  But, that is simply not in your nature.  You work hard to achieve your goals, to be the best that you can, and to fight to accomplish what you set out to achieve.  So you don't walk away or let them take over.  You are the tortoise and with time and patience, you will persevere.  Time to create some cayenne pepper spray!

Cantalope chomped on by mice, perhaps?

Honeydew Melon almost entirely decimated.

 But, there are also new starts for as yet undetermined outcomes.  The seeds of success provide encouragement to continue your efforts and to always look forward toward what can be achieved.

The lovely start of the Bok Choy

The cucumbers are slow but you can see the new growth in the light green centers.

Cilantro

The wispy delicate start of the carrots

The sweet peppers are taking off.

The first round of lettuce is off to a good start.

The zucchini is spreading out.

 

So I will battle the drought and the interlopers, and forge ahead as ever. 

From Fallow to Fruitful?

The ground is dusty, barren and untended.  While laying fallow is important to the garden cycle, sometimes we let things go too long.  Finding the motivation to restart, revamp, get your head back in the game, can be challenging. Digging up the dirt, laying down soil amendment, pulling out the weeds, adding compost, reimagining your path all requires sweat equity.  It is far easier to let things stay as they are, go unchallenged, take the well-worn course.  But somehow, each spring this barrier of malaise is overcome and we start anew.  Where do we find the motivation? Sometimes it is just a baby step - find a small seed of inspiration -- to kick us into gear and encourage us to stop accepting that things are easier if they stay the same.  Change creates excitement, fear, opportunity and hope for new successes and challenges.  This is the essence of life.  Let's start again and see where it takes us.

Main garden.  Yellow Peppers, Leeks, Eggplant, Cilantro, Carrots, Bok Choy, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Thai Peppers, Cucumbers 

Back Forty - Sweet Corn, Radishes

The Artichoke that keeps on giving!

Cantalope and Honeydew

Radishes and Beets

Zucchini



Basil and Tomato and of course, Marigold throughout as the natural pesticide

Basil with two  Tomato plants

Lettuce, several types.  The spot behind the wood barrier is left open for succession planting of lettuce.

The fuller picture of the main plot.

Leeks, with open plot for later plantings.

Carrots and Bok Choy

Three tomato plants

Cucumbers in the trough, but grapefruit tree is so large that shade may inhibit successful growth

The Back Forty.  Starting with corn, radish, open plot, thyme, beets, radishes and artichoke.